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Blog Congress and Event Highlights in Berlin 2026: The Key Dates

Berlin will once again take centre stage in 2026, hosting leading international trade fairs, specialist congresses and major sporting events with global appeal. For event planners, associations and companies, the capital offers a unique combination of short distances, outstanding infrastructure, strong industry clusters and a wide range of incentives. In this overview, you will find the key congress and event highlights taking place in Berlin in 2026.

Destination Berlin

24.02.2026

Miranda Meier Managerin Strategische Kommunikation

Miranda Meier
Large crowd at an airshow with airplanes, including an Emirates jet, on display under blue sky.

Leading International Trade Fairs 2026 in Berlin

ITB Berlin

03–05 March 2026 | Messe Berlin
In 2026, ITB Berlin celebrates its 60th anniversary and ranks among Berlin’s most significant congress and trade fair highlights.

  • over 160 countries
  • more than 2,000 exhibitors
  • tens of thousands of trade visitors from around the world

As the leading global travel trade show, it serves as a key platform for networking, innovation and international business deals.

ILA Berlin Air Show

10–14 June 2026 | Berlin ExpoCenter Airport
This international aerospace trade fair combines spectacular flying displays with innovations from aerospace, defence and security. ILA brings together high-profile industry stakeholders, exhibitors and experts from business, politics and research in Berlin.

IFA – Innovation For All

04–08 September 2026 | Messe Berlin
IFA is the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances. IFA is the hotspot for technology trends, product launches and visions of the future. The IFA Summer Garden creates a festival atmosphere with live music and entertainment, turning the trade fair into a complete experience of innovation and entertainment.

  • 1,900 exhibitors from 49 countries
  • 220,000 visitors
  • 140 nations

InnoTrans

22–25 September 2026 | Messe Berlin
As the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology, InnoTrans showcases innovative components, vehicles and systems for rail transport and urban mobility. International market leaders and decision-makers gather here in Berlin.

Medical and Scientific Congress Highlights Berlin 2026

DMEA – Connecting Digital Health

21–23 April 2026 | Messe Berlin
Europe’s leading trade fair and congress for digital healthcare, DMEA – Connecting Digital Health focuses on telemedicine, AI-supported diagnostics and eHealth solutions.

ESMO Breast Cancer Congress

06–08 May 2026 | Messe Berlin
The ESMO Breast Cancer Congress brings together leading oncologists and researchers at Messe Berlin. The latest findings in diagnostics, therapy and prevention are discussed, providing important impetus for cancer research.

International Conference on Nuclear Cardiology (ICNC2026)

17–19 May 2026 | Estrel Berlin 
International experts in nuclear cardiology meet at Estrel Berlin to exchange insights on cutting-edge imaging technologies and diagnostic methods for cardiovascular diseases.

DOG Congress

24–27 September 2026 | Estrel Berlin
As Germany’s largest congress for ophthalmology, the Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft attracts thousands of ophthalmologists and specialist participants to Estrel Berlin.

German Congress for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery

20–23 October 2026 | Messe Berlin
The German Congress for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery (DKOU) is one of Europe’s most important medical specialist events, presenting the latest developments in diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation.

Congress of the German Society of Neurology

04–07 November 2026 | Messe Berlin
Europe’s largest neurological society discusses current therapeutic approaches and research findings on neurological diseases.

Doctor touches digital hologram of stomach on screen.

Digitalisation, Sustainability and Society

Sustainable Economy Summit

21–22 April 2026 | AXICA
At the Sustainable Economy Summit, decision-makers from business, politics and academia gather at AXICA to discuss sustainable solutions for the economy of tomorrow. The summit provides important impetus for sustainable business models.

re:publica

18–20 May 2026 | STATION Berlin
Europe’s leading festival for digital society takes place at STATION Berlin. The major questions of our time are explored – from a fair digital future to the role of technology and artificial intelligence in society.

GITEX Europe

30 June – 1 July 2026 | Messe Berlin
Europe’s leading tech and start-up trade fair brings together innovators, investors and technology companies, providing a platform for innovation, investment and digital transformation.

Rednerin spricht auf einer Bühne vor großem Publikum bei einer Konferenz.

Business, Commerce and Trade

SuperReturn International

8–12 June 2026 | InterContinental Berlin
One of the world’s largest private equity and venture capital conferences, with a focus on investment strategies and market trends.

WeAreDevelopers WorldCongress

8–10 July 2026 | Messe Berlin
More than 10,000 software developers, tech leaders and innovators exchange insights on the latest trends in programming, AI, cloud computing and software development.

Deutscher Pflegetag

12–13 November 2026 | Hub27
At Hub27, nursing professionals, care managers and health policy-makers come together on the central platform for nursing policy and healthcare management.

Handelskongress Deutschland

18–19 November 2026 | Estrel Berlin 
Industry gathering at Estrel Berlin for retail, e-commerce and omnichannel strategies.

Further Exciting Congresses and Events 2026

CCW 2026

23–26 February 2026 | Estrel Berlin
As an international congress trade fair for customer service, customer communication and call centres, it brings together professionals from around the world to discuss customer experience, digitalisation and AI in customer service.

Mary Jane

11–14 June 2026 | Messe Berlin
Mary Jane serves as a platform for the international hemp and CBD industry. From medical cannabis and lifestyle products to sustainable textiles, the trade fair showcases the full spectrum of the hemp sector.

MEX – Manga & Entertainment Expo

23–25 October 2026 | Messe Berlin
Germany’s largest convention for manga, anime and Japanese pop culture, MEX – Manga & Entertainment Expo – features cosplay competitions, concerts and meet-and-greets with stars from the scene, creating unforgettable moments.

Sport Meets World-Class Excellence

DFB Cup Final

23 May 2026 | Olympiastadion
At the DFB Cup Final, the two best cup teams from the Bundesliga compete for the title – in an arena whose electric atmosphere guarantees goosebumps and makes it a must for football fans.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup

04–13 September 2026 | Uber Arena
The Uber Arena in Berlin becomes the stage for the world’s top women’s basketball teams during the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. World-class sport, international stars and thrilling matches await spectators over ten exciting days.

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

26–27 September 2026
50,000 runners from more than 160 nations take to the streets of Berlin for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, one of the most prestigious marathons worldwide. The route passes the Victory Column, the Reichstag and Berlin Cathedral, finishing at the Brandenburg Gate – a finish line no participant will ever forget.

FAQ: Congress and Event Highlights 2026 in Berlin

Which events will have particularly high public visibility in 2026?

In 2026, large-scale public events in particular will generate significant media coverage and public attention in Berlin. These include IFA as the leading international trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as one of the world’s most prestigious running events, and the DFB Cup Final, which attracts tens of thousands of football fans to Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

When is the best time to host a congress in Berlin in 2026?

In 2026, March, April and May, as well as September and October, are among the busiest months for events in Berlin. During these periods, numerous conferences, international specialist congresses, leading trade fairs and major sporting events take place across the city.

For event planners, early scheduling and hotel booking are strongly recommended due to high demand.

Is Berlin also suitable for side events alongside leading trade fairs?

Yes, Berlin is ideally suited to hosting side events alongside international leading trade fairs. Particularly around ITB, IFA, ILA and InnoTrans, numerous evening receptions, networking formats, partner meetings and delegation programmes take place.

Thanks to the high concentration of industry stakeholders, venues and infrastructure, the city offers ideal conditions for strategically extending existing trade fair appearances. In principle, such formats can be realised in Berlin all year round – 365 days a year.

Which industries are represented at the congress and trade fair highlights in 2026?

The congresses and trade fairs taking place in Berlin in 2026 cover a wide range of industries:

  • Tourism and the travel industry (ITB Berlin)
  • Aerospace (ILA)
  • Consumer electronics and technology (IFA, GITEX Europe, WeAreDevelopers)
  • Medicine and healthcare (DMEA, ESMO, DKOU, Congress of the German Society of Neurology)
  • Financial services and private equity (SuperReturn International)
  • Retail and e-commerce (Handelskongress Deutschland)
  • Sustainability and digital society (Sustainable Economy Summit, re:publica)
Why is Berlin a leading congress and trade fair city?

Berlin offers modern infrastructure with venues such as Messe Berlin, the Estrel Congress Center, Hub27, AXICA and STATION Berlin. In addition, the city benefits from excellent international accessibility via BER to Flughafen Berlin-Brandenburg, a wide range of hotel options and a high concentration of scientific and business clusters.

You can find out more at Why Berlin.